Page 149 of Magic of the Damned

“My mother won’t be as brazen in her destruction as you’ve been led to believe. And it’s because she likes you and holds value in what is important to you.” Once again, this family was using words wrong. Dictionaries for everyone for Christmas.

“Likes—or tolerates me enough not to kill me? Or does she love you enough not to be wholly destructive because of your feelings for me?” I asked.

“I’m very aware of my family’s shortcomings. My affections for you would not have much bearing on how she’d deal with you or value your beliefs if she didn’t like you. Her fondness just looks different than what you’re used to. Your kind tends to display emotions in a strange manner.”

I’m the strange one here.

Getting a pass on being murdered by Ileana was like a gentle hug and kiss from her. Our conversation was a reminder of how vastly different my life had looked a month ago. I missed that life of blissful ignorance and relative safety.

“If it’s shared mutual destruction, how is that any different than your mother’s suggestions?” I probed, my concentration dissolving in a quicksand of lust as his thumb stroked over my nipple. Focus. Heat coursed through me, making me wet between my legs. His hand languidly traveled in that direction before I took hold of the distracting appendage, ignoring the desire to give in and feel his fingers caress and stroke me there.

Stay on topic. Focus.

“Answer my question,” I insisted, my voice a low rasp as I pushed logic to win out over a primal need that wanted to be satisfied. That needed to be satisfied.

“Because it’s my last resort, not my first.”

“What is your first resort?”

“Tomorrow. Let’s discuss it tomorrow because nothing can be done about it now.” He kissed me in a way that managed to be both aggressive and soft. It seemed as if we had the same desire to extinguish the remnants of the tumultuous day. Sinking my fingers into his hair, I pulled him closer. Rolling me to my back, he pulled away, his gaze devouring every inch of me.

My nipples responded to his salacious attention. Hunger in his eyes, he cupped my breasts, his tongue teasing my hardened peaks. Intoxicating heat slid over them. They throbbed with pleasure. I quivered at the gentle nips and the cloak of magic that accompanied his touch. His hands moved lower, dragging a low moan out of me. Dominic’s fingers were liquid warmth as he stroked me, a smile curling his lips as I gasped, grinding into his erotic touch, seeking more pleasure. Needing his skilled fingers to bring me satisfaction. He brought me to the edge before sliding down my body, planting wet kisses on me before spreading me open and nestling his face between my legs. Dominic’s sensual flicks of his tongue over my engorged nub pushed me closer to the precipice of pleasure. Tantalizing kisses and fervent licks of his tongue coursed blissful heat through me until I succumbed to a climax.

He rose to his knees, positioning his hips between my legs. A satisfied groan escaped as I quickly accommodated his long length and thickness before we found a perfect synchronized rhythm, his fingers digging into my skin. Fire of desire danced in his amber eyes, his thrusts becoming more frenetic as he pushed deeper, seeking more pleasure.

Shivers of ecstasy ran along my spine. I panted and let out a surprised noise when he covered my body, rolling onto his back and taking me with him. Positioned into a straddle, I felt the full length of his hard cock. Dominic’s hands palmed my breasts, stroking and teasing before gliding slowly down my body and settling on my hips as we hit an erotic rhythm of my movements. Each stroke more intense and pleasing.

“Fuck,” he growled, his smoldering gaze searing into me. My senses were heightened, each movement, touch, stroke, and curl of his fingers into my skin igniting my need. Seeking a climax, our movement became unbridled heat and frenzy.

My body shuddered with the first pulse of my climax which lingered into a loop of pleasure that Dominic felt as I contracted on him. The final orgasm rocked me, and I found a peculiar exhilaration watching the Prince of the Underworld quake with intensity.

His satisfied body was languid and relaxed, a contrast to his heavy breathing. I slumped on the sheets, exhausted in my orgasmic haze. He nibbled at my shoulder and caressed me. Tender hands snaked over my body. Dominic’s look was hungry, promising more encounters to come. Along with my intense pleasure was the heightened awareness that there was no denying or walking away from, because I had fallen completely for him.

CHAPTER 3

The next morning, we revisited the activities of the previous night and managed to get a shower in as well. The sex was a form of escapism, but with each intimate coupling…there was more. I could see it in the way he looked at me; between the passionate, intense sex were furtive glances and soft caresses. And the words he held back, replacing them with touches and strokes that conveyed his emotions.

Dominic was insatiable, so I was tasked with pulling him from his languid exploration of my body as I attempted to get dressed. Through the distractions we managed eventually to get clothed. Turning to face him, I laced my fingers through his.

“What’s the alternative to the mutual destruction?” My curiosity was alive and ready to be sated.

“Peter,” he breathed out in a reluctant sigh. The apprehension was heavy in his words. “I need to determine how his magic was stolen without using a Garon, which only works when it’s in contact with the person you’re taking magic from. Magic was taken from you both without the Garon or touch. I suspect he may know the answer.”

A shiver ran through me as I relived the strong, portentous magic that had overtaken mine, binding me to Peter and ripping it away from us both.

“Do you think he knew of the other Dark Caster?” I asked.

“You’d have a better idea than I would.” His penetrating gaze held mine, searching my face, before his brow lifted in inquiry.

I considered my interaction with Peter prior to me attempting to divest him of his magic. I shook my head. “If he knew he hid it well. He seemed to genuinely want a partner in this.”

Dominic frowned. “I don’t think it was romantic. His only attraction was to the power and getting control over the supernaturals.”

Annoyed, I exhaled. I was becoming increasingly irritated recounting Peter’s impassioned soliloquies. My mind had been playing them in a loop since his name was mentioned. “Years of him blathering on about history being written by the victors, the ruthlessness of mankind, and accosting people with his unfiltered and unrequested lectures on history, only to be just as cruel and ruthless.”

Dominic smirked at my rant. “That’s with humans. Perhaps he holds humans to a different moral standard. The rules and expectations aren’t the same because we have similar gifts.”

“Not really. Your gifts exceed most. And I don’t think you prey on people.” I was being a little liberal with the use of prey. Dominic didn’t prey on others, but he had no problem demonstrating his power and using it for coercion. Although he also kept his word and attempted some forms of fairness.

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